Sweet, salty… in the land of tango and meat, there are many opportunities for fine dining. Get to know the seven Argentinian dishes that you shouldn’t miss out on
6 tasty Argentinian dishes you can cook at home
There is much more to Argentine gastronomy than the asado and grilled recipes. Other dishes which no one who visits the country should miss include sweets, stews and pasta with sauce.
Each region of Argentina has its own delicacies, specialities, and ingredients with its own geographical hallmarks. Those who taste it are impressed by the variety and quality of these dishes.
Personal tastes, preferences and prep aside, we invite you to explore these 6 Argentinian dishes. Get ready to feel hungry!
Savoury Dishes
Choripán
(Image Description: white bread with a sausage sliced in half and covered with a green seasoning called chimichurri)
The name says it all – a chorizo between two slices of bread, a chorizo sandwich: a choripán! Chorizo can be pork, beef or a mix, and is an essential part of the Argentine asado. Chimichurri is a typical sauce with a base of oil, parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar and ground chili. Combined with the chorizo and bread, this dish is one to remember.
Milanesa napolitana with French fries
(Image Description: white dish with french fries and beef covered with tomato sauce, cheese, ham and oregano.)
Despite its name referring to the city of Naples in southern Italy, this delicacy is all Argentine. Made from beef or chicken, baked or (much richer) fried, it is a kind of steak soaked in well-beaten egg with garlic and parsley, and coated with breadcrumbs. French fries, the ideal side dish, are world famous. While you can also opt for the “normal” milanesa, the Napolitana is special, with its topping of tomato sauce, cheese, ham and oregano.
Empanadas
(Image Description: wooden platter with empanadas, a recipe consisting of dough and mixed fillings.)
Tucumanas, Salteñas, from Catamarca: empanadas vary depending on the province of Argentina in which they are eaten. But they are all spectacular! A product of colonization by Spain, the empanadas is a mirror image take on a dish which is Arabic in origin. Its fillings include minced beef, chicken, ham and cheese or onion and cheese. Empanadas can be eaten in the street, bars, restaurants or even ordered by delivery. Baked or fried, they pair well with a glass of Malbec red wine.
Locro
(Image Description: brown bowl with an orange stew made of corn, pork, beans and chorizo. On the side is a slice of bread.)
Locro is a typical dish associated with Argentina’s national days of celebration. It is usually eaten on May 25th, when the May Revolution is commemorated, and on July 9th: Independence Day. It is a stew made with corn, pork, beans and chorizo, to which spices are added. As it is in the photo, it should be accompanied with a little bread.
Sweet dishes
Flan with dulce de leche
(Image Description: dish containing a slice of flan with dulce de leche, a creamy brown desert. To one side is another plate containing the rest of the flan and the traditional dulce de leche)
The moment of sweetness has arrived: time for dessert! This flan with dulce de leche is as Argentinian as it gets. It is made using milk, eggs, sugar and lemon. While dulce de leche is considered to be the “classic” topping, the flan can also be served with chantilly cream.
Chocolate and dulce de leche alfajores
(Image Description: round brown desert made of chocolate and dulce de leche.)
You have to save room in your stomach to eat them, but what a treat. Alfajores resemble two cookies with a layer of dulce de leche, dipped in chocolate and sugar. A national treasure, they can be bought on the street, in kiosks and bars and come in a variety of flavours.
Which dish has caught your eye the most, among all of the Argentinian dishes which we’ve mentioned here? Many of them can be made at home, wherever you are, and if you like to cook you should definitely give it a try!
